ToniAnne Wong is a Seventh Grade Math Teacher at Alma’s Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus.
What made you decide to join the Crew at Alma?
I decided to join Alma, because I believe that by investing the time and effort into developing independence, critical thinking, and a sense of community at an early age will create create skills and relationships that last a lifetime.
What do you hope to contribute to Alma?
I hope to contribute my passion for math and inspire others to become interested in it too for math’s inherent beauty. I also will contribute energy and optimism, knowing that while times may be tough for some, there will always be a better tomorrow. I also want to participate in events after school and in the greater NB community to bring the people together, reminding us that we’re all in this as a team.
What teacher made a difference in your life, and how?
I have to thank my own middle school math teacher, Mr. Balas, for being such a competent and cool leader. He had such a great balance of being fun and goofy, yet he knew when it was time to put our heads together and get things done. His teaching style heavily influences my own, and I have to thank him for inspiring me to become a teacher myself.
Why did you become involved in education?
The world needs to make quite some changes in order to advance society forward for all people. We can’t do that if we don’t have the knowledge of how the world works, as well as the sense of teamwork and community that help turn that knowledge into mobilized, collective action. I hope not only to inspire kids to become self-educators and explore the world on their own, but also to instill in them the idea that we’re all in the same boat, and that we can always turn to our neighbors for a helping hand.
Where did you go to college or post-secondary school?
Washington and Lee University
What did you like about your college?
It had a centuries-old tradition of honor. Its Honor Code placed its upmost values in academic integrity. Students were trusted not to cheat, steal, or lie; because of that, people were free to engage through a shared sense of trust with each other’s safety.
What is your favorite food?
A nice, thick cut of Ribeye steak, well-seasoned and reverse-seared on a cast iron skillet with a garlic and rosemary-thyme butter baste.
What is your favorite book?
The Hike by Drew Magary